[Health & Physical Education](/majors/parks-recreation-fitness/health-and-physical-education/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
College Factual analyzed 785 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value health & physical education schools.
Our analysis ranked University Of Florida the best value for a degree in health & physical education in the United States. University Of Florida is a very large public school located in the city of Gainesville. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,381, compared with $28,659 for out-of-state students. Health & Physical Education graduates carry a median of $19,982 in student loans. Health & Physical Education graduates of University Of Florida earn a median of $39,717 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 24%.
California State University San Bernardino is a great value for students pursuing a degree in health & physical education, landing the #2 spot this year. Located in the city of San Bernardino, California State University San Bernardino is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $8,088 in tuition and fees, compared with $20,688 for out-of-state students. Health & Physical Education graduates carry a median of $15,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, health & physical education degree recipients from California State University San Bernardino generally make around $29,143. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in health & physical education will find it at Cuny Brooklyn College, which ranked #3. Cuny Brooklyn College is a large public school located in the city of Brooklyn. Students from in state pay about $7,452 in tuition and fees, compared with $15,402 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $13,629 to complete the health & physical education program here. Early-career health & physical education graduates make about $25,101. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 58%.
A rank of #4 makes California State University Los Angeles one of the best values for health & physical education. Located in the city of Los Angeles, California State University Los Angeles is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,164, compared with $19,764 for out-of-state students. Health & Physical Education graduates carry a median of $13,750 in student loans. Soon after graduation, health & physical education degree recipients from California State University Los Angeles generally make around $28,687. That is a strong return on a $13,750 median debt. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.
Cuny Lehman College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in health & physical education, landing the #5 spot this year. Cuny Lehman College is a large public school located in the city of Bronx. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,410, compared with $15,360 for out-of-state students. Health & Physical Education graduates carry a median of $10,861 in student loans. Early-career health & physical education graduates make about $29,538. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 57% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Florida Online placed #6 among the best values for health & physical education. University Of Florida Online is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Gainesville. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,876, with out-of-state students paying around $16,579. Health & Physical Education graduates carry a median of $19,982 in student loans. Soon after graduation, health & physical education degree recipients from University Of Florida Online generally make around $39,717. That is a strong return on a $19,982 median debt. Roughly 61% of applicants are accepted.
California State University Fresno earned the #7 position for value in health & physical education this year. Set in the city of Fresno, California State University Fresno is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,341, while out-of-state students pay about $19,941. Health & Physical Education graduates carry a median of $14,314 in student loans. Health & Physical Education graduates of California State University Fresno earn a median of $26,931 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 95% of applicants are accepted.
California State University Bakersfield landed the #8 spot for health & physical education value this year. Located in the city of Bakersfield, California State University Bakersfield is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $8,087, with out-of-state students paying around $20,687. Median earnings reach $59,009 ten years out. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.
California State University Fullerton came in at #9 for value in health & physical education this year. California State University Fullerton is a very large public school located in the suburb of Fullerton. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,470, compared with $20,070 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for health & physical education graduates is $14,481. Soon after graduation, health & physical education degree recipients from California State University Fullerton generally make around $23,543. Set against $14,481 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
California State University Stanislaus placed #10 among the best values for health & physical education. Located in the suburb of Turlock, California State University Stanislaus is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $8,242, with out-of-state students paying around $20,842. Health & Physical Education graduates carry a median of $17,085 in student loans. Soon after graduation, health & physical education degree recipients from California State University Stanislaus generally make around $25,414. That is a strong return on a $17,085 median debt. The acceptance rate is 98%.
California State University Northridge ranked #11 on our 2027 list of the best value health & physical education schools. California State University Northridge is a very large public school located in the city of Northridge. In-state tuition and fees average $7,458, while out-of-state students pay about $20,058. Typical student debt for health & physical education graduates is $15,000. Soon after graduation, health & physical education degree recipients from California State University Northridge generally make around $27,952. That is a strong return on a $15,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 93%.
Utah Valley University earned the #12 position for value in health & physical education this year. Located in the city of Orem, Utah Valley University is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,507, with out-of-state students paying around $18,489. Typical student debt for health & physical education graduates is $15,252. Early-career health & physical education graduates make about $31,905. Set against $15,252 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Cuny Queens College earned the #13 position for value in health & physical education this year. Set in the city of Queens, Cuny Queens College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,538 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $15,488. Students borrow a median of $5,500 to complete the health & physical education program here. Health & Physical Education graduates of Cuny Queens College earn a median of $16,236 early in their careers. Set against $5,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Cuny Queens College admits about 64% of applicants.
Texas A And M International University ranked #14 on our 2027 list of the best value health & physical education schools. Set in the city of Laredo, Texas A And M International University is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,894 in tuition and fees, compared with $19,454 for out-of-state students. Health & Physical Education graduates carry a median of $19,327 in student loans. Soon after graduation, health & physical education degree recipients from Texas A And M International University generally make around $24,867. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 44%.
California State University Sacramento earned the #15 position for value in health & physical education this year. Set in the city of Sacramento, California State University Sacramento is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,018 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $20,618. Students borrow a median of $18,129 to complete the health & physical education program here. Early-career health & physical education graduates make about $31,901. Set against $18,129 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. California State University Sacramento admits about 94% of applicants.
Oakland University ranked #16 on our 2027 list of the best value health & physical education schools. Set in the suburb of Rochester Hills, Oakland University is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $17,167, with out-of-state students paying around $24,735. Students borrow a median of $25,972 to complete the health & physical education program here. Health & Physical Education graduates of Oakland University earn a median of $54,785 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,972 median debt. The acceptance rate is 88%.
California State University East Bay earned the #17 position for value in health & physical education this year. Set in the suburb of Hayward, California State University East Bay is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,583 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $20,183. Students borrow a median of $18,250 to complete the health & physical education program here. Early-career health & physical education graduates make about $33,189. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. California State University East Bay admits about 97% of applicants.
Florida Atlantic University placed #18 among the best values for health & physical education. Set in the city of Boca Raton, Florida Atlantic University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,879 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $17,324. Students borrow a median of $20,659 to complete the health & physical education program here. Soon after graduation, health & physical education degree recipients from Florida Atlantic University generally make around $30,412. Set against $20,659 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 66% of applicants are accepted.
University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill placed #19 among the best values for health & physical education. Located in the city of Chapel Hill, University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $8,994, compared with $41,203 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $16,575 to complete the health & physical education program here. Early-career health & physical education graduates make about $31,165. That is a strong return on a $16,575 median debt. Roughly 15% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Central Florida ranked #20 on our 2027 list of the best value health & physical education schools. Set in the suburb of Orlando, University Of Central Florida is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,368, compared with $22,467 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for health & physical education graduates is $21,620. Health & Physical Education graduates of University Of Central Florida earn a median of $46,398 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $21,620 median debt. The acceptance rate is 40%.
California State University Dominguez Hills ranked #21 on our 2027 list of the best value health & physical education schools. Set in the city of Carson, California State University Dominguez Hills is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,454 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $20,054. Health & Physical Education graduates carry a median of $17,318 in student loans. Soon after graduation, health & physical education degree recipients from California State University Dominguez Hills generally make around $25,349. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.
Berea College landed the #22 spot for health & physical education value this year. Berea College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the town of Berea. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $51,658. Students borrow a median of $5,801 to complete the health & physical education program here. Health & Physical Education graduates of Berea College earn a median of $31,428 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $5,801 median debt. The acceptance rate is 19%.
University Of Houston Victoria came in at #23 for value in health & physical education this year. Located in the city of Victoria, University Of Houston Victoria is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,149, while out-of-state students pay about $16,941. Typical student debt for health & physical education graduates is $24,081. Soon after graduation, health & physical education degree recipients from University Of Houston Victoria generally make around $47,345. That is a strong return on a $24,081 median debt. The acceptance rate is 96%.
California State University Long Beach came in at #24 for value in health & physical education this year. Located in the city of Long Beach, California State University Long Beach is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,374, with out-of-state students paying around $19,974. Students borrow a median of $14,551 to complete the health & physical education program here. Soon after graduation, health & physical education degree recipients from California State University Long Beach generally make around $22,148. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 46% of applicants are accepted.
Florida State University earned the #25 position for value in health & physical education this year. Set in the city of Tallahassee, Florida State University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $6,517 in tuition and fees, compared with $21,683 for out-of-state students. Health & Physical Education graduates carry a median of $18,750 in student loans. Health & Physical Education graduates of Florida State University earn a median of $29,519 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $18,750 median debt. The acceptance rate is 24%.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Health & Physical Education Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s health & physical education value ranking:
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. Schools are scored on the balance of cost (tuition and student debt) against student outcomes (post-graduation earnings) — a measure of return on investment, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 785 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 785 ranked schools only.
The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE), serves as the core of our data about colleges.
Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).
[Health & Physical Education](/majors/parks-recreation-fitness/health-and-physical-education/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
